Light rail staff to stop work amid concerns Parramatta employees paid less

Commuters across Sydney have been warned to expect disruptions as light rail workers take industrial action amid frustrations their Parramatta counterparts are being paid less.

Commuters across Sydney have been warned to expect disruptions as light rail workers take industrial action amid frustrations their Parramatta counterparts are being paid less.

The tram and bus division of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union members will refuse to check tickets and stop driving trams for two hours on Wednesday morning and afternoon after they claimed Transdev refused to provide light rail workers in Parramatta up to $5 an hour less than their counterparts elsewhere in Sydney.

The industrial action will take place on the L1, L2 or L3 between 8am and 10am and from 4pm to 6pm after months of negotiations left workers “with no option” but to start taking protected industrial action.

The action will begin on Tuesday when workers will refuse to wear uniforms and will drive slowly on every fourth tram.

More than 98 per cent of the workforce voted to take protected industrial action over pay issues, which comes in the same week tram testing on the 12km Parramatta line from Westmead to Carlingford is full time between 6am and 6pm.

Daytime testing for Parramatta light rail kicked off on May 13, 2024. Parramatta workers are more out of pocket than other light rail employees.

The union’s tram and bus division secretary David Babineau said members had been left with no choice but to take industrial action for Parramatta employees who would be short-changed.

“At a time when workers across the board are struggling with cost of living pressures, that’s an insult to workers and their families,’’ he said.

“Light rail workers won’t allow their fellow workers in Parramatta to be paid less simply because of where they’re based, nor will we allow workers in other areas to be paid less than they deserve.’’

Mr Babineau said he hoped Transdev would come to the table quickly so that the action could be stopped.

A light rail tram makes its way through George St in the Sydney CBD. Picture: Saeed Khan

Union members will stop work on Wednesday 29 May between 8am-10am and 4pm-6pm meaning no trams will run on L1, L2 or L3 lines during those times.

Transdev advised passengers to plan ahead for Wednesday because the network could also be impacted up to an hour before and after the action periods.

Transdev Sydney managing director Arsene Durand-Raucher apologised to customers for the service disruptions which would impact commuters, schools and Vivid Festival patrons.

“We are working hard with transport partners to minimise impact to customers caused by this industrial action,” Mr Durand-Raucher said.

“Customers should plan ahead and consider alternate transport options this Wednesday or, if possible, avoid non-essential travel on the trams.’’

He said Transdev was working with Transport for NSW to minimise impacts to Parramatta light rail testing and commissioning activities.

“We are committed to continue to negotiate in good faith with our employees through the Rail Tram and Bus Union,’’ he said.

“We thank customers for their patience during this industrial action as we continue working with the union to resolve our new enterprise agreement”.